Lid

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a lid are provided. In one embodiment, the lid may be coupled to a container to provide selective access to the contents of the container. In one embodiment, the lid is configured to be stacked.

IDENTIFICATION OF RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/708,957, filed on Oct. 2, 2012, which is entitled“Lid,” which patent application is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to lids and more particularlyto lids configured to be stacked.

Containers are used to hold napkins, facial tissues, wipes, wet wipes,etc. Lids may be provided for the containers to allow selective accessto the contents of the containers and to prevent access to the contentsof the containers when the lids are in a closed configuration. Variouslids may be used to provide resealable closure to containers, e.g.,containers containing facial tissues, wet wipes, etc. Lids may be formedseparately from the containers and coupled to the container after thecontainer has been filled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, one embodiment of the invention relates to a lid. The lidincludes a lower portion. The lower portion has an inner edge definingan aperture. The lid includes an upper portion. The upper portionincludes a projecting feature including an upper surface extendingbetween a first wall and a second wall. The lid includes a hinge. Thehinge pivotally couples the upper portion to the lower portion. Theupper portion is configured to pivot between a closed configuration inwhich the upper portion covers the aperture and an open configuration inwhich the upper portion does not cover the aperture. The upper portionincludes a first latching portion distal from the hinge. The lowerportion includes a second latching portion distal from the hinge. Thefirst and second latching portions are configured to latch the upperportion in a closed configuration. The projecting feature has aperimeter smaller than the perimeter of the inner edge defining theaperture.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a stack of lids. Thestack of lids includes a first lid. The first lid includes a first lowerportion having a first inner edge defining an aperture. The first lidincludes a first upper portion. The first lid includes a first hingepivotally coupling the first upper portion to the first lower portion.The stack of lids includes a second lid. The second lid includes asecond lower portion. The second lid includes a second upper portionincluding a projecting feature. The second lid includes a second hingepivotally coupling the second upper portion to the second lower portion.The first lid is stacked on the second lid with the lower portion of thefirst lid contacting the upper portion. The projecting feature of thesecond lid projects in the aperture with the projecting feature and thefirst inner edge configured to inhibit movement of the first lidrelative to the second lid in at least one direction.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of manufacturinglids. The method includes providing a plurality of lids, each lid havingan upper portion hinged to a lower portion, the lower portions eachincluding an inner edge defining an aperture, the upper portions eachincluding a projecting feature. The method includes stacking theplurality of lids such that the projecting feature projects into theaperture defined by the inner edge of the above lid. The method includespackaging the stacked plurality of lids for transport.

Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features andcombinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This application will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a lid coupled to anexemplary container;

FIG. 2 is a view of the lid of FIG. 1 being opened to allow access tothe contents of the container;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a lid in an openconfiguration;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the lid of FIG. 3 shown rotated 180°along an axis through the hinge portion and latching portion;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the lid of FIGS. 3 and 4 in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the portion 7-7 illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the lid of FIGS. 3-5 in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the lid of FIG. 9 shown from the otherside;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the lid of FIG. 9 shown rotated 180°along an axis through the first end and the second end;

FIG. 12 is a detail view of the portion 12-12 illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view showing dimensions of the lid of FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of an exemplary stack of embodiments oflids;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 15-15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method ofproviding lids;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a lid coupled toan exemplary container;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a lid in an openconfiguration;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the lid of FIG. 18 shown rotated 180°along an axis through the hinge portion and latching portion;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the lid of FIGS. 18 and 19 in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 21-21 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 22-22 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an exemplary stack of embodiments oflids;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 24-24 in FIG. 23;and

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 25-25 in FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring generally to the figures, an embodiment of a lid is disclosed.Generally, the lid is configured to be coupled to a container (e.g.,facial tissues container, wet wipes container, etc.) to provideselective access to the contents of the container and selective sealingof the container. The container may be a soft-sided container, ahard-sided container, or any other suitable type of container. Thecontainer may be formed from any suitable material. The lid may becoupled to the container by any suitable mechanism (e.g., adhesive,heat-sealing, fasteners, etc.).

In some embodiments, the lid may not be made at the same location as thecontainer or at the same location that the container is filled. Thus,lids may be transported to a location for coupling to filled containers.

One embodiment of a lid 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The lid 20 iscoupled to a soft-sided container 22.

With reference to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the lid 20 includes anupper portion 24 coupled to a lower portion 26 by a hinge, illustratedas a living hinge 28 in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, the upper portion24 may be pivotally coupled to the lower portion 26 by any suitablemechanism.

The lower portion 26 includes a substantially flat base portion 30. Theinner edge 32 of the base portion 30 defines an aperture 34. The inneredge 32 defines the perimeter of the aperture 34. When the lid 20 iscoupled to the container 22, the lid 20 may be positioned such that anopening of the container 22 is aligned with the aperture 34.

The base portion 30 has a lower side 36 (illustrated in FIG. 4) and anupper side 38. The lower side 36 is coupled to the container 22. Thelower portion 26 includes a wall portion 40 extending generallyperpendicularly to the base portion 30 from the upper side 38 of thebase portion 30. The wall portion 40 extends around the aperture 34 andis located radially outwardly from the inner edge 32 of the base portion30 and radially inwardly from the outer periphery 42 of the base portion30.

The upper portion 24 is displaceable relative to the lower portion 26between a first closed configuration, illustrated in FIG. 1, in whichthe upper portion 24 covers the aperture 34 and access to the opening ofthe container 22 is prevented by the upper portion 24 and a second openconfiguration, illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the upper portion 24 doesnot cover the aperture 34 and access to the opening of the container 22is allowed.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the lid 20 in an open configuration.

With reference to FIG. 5, which illustrates the lid 20 in a closedconfiguration, the upper portion 24 of the lid 20 extends generally froma first end 44 to a second end 46 and from the living hinge 28 to alatching portion 47 of the lid 20.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper portion 24 of the lid 20includes a downwardly extending outer wall portion 48. The outer wallportion 48 extends downwardly and radially outwardly of the outerperiphery 42 of the base portion 30. The outer periphery 42 of the baseportion 30 is located proximate the interior surface of the outer wallportion 48 when the lid 20 is in a closed configuration. The outer wallportion 48 is located radially adjacent to the outer periphery 42 of thebase portion 30.

A rounded portion 50 extends from the portion of the downwardlyextending wall portion 48 distal from the base portion 30 to asubstantially flat portion 52 extending radially inwardly. Extendingdownwardly from the substantially flat portion 52 is an inner wallportion 54. The inner wall portion 54 contacts the substantially flatbase portion 30 of the lower portion 26 when the lid 20 is in a closedconfiguration. The inner wall portion 54 is located radially outwardlyfrom the wall portion 40. In one embodiment, the inner wall portion 54prevents entry of moisture into or egress of moisture from a containerwhen the lid 20 is in a closed configuration. In another embodiment, theinner wall portion 54 prevents entry of contaminants into a containerwhen the lid 20 is in a closed configuration.

Radially inwardly from the substantially flat portion 52 the upperportion 24 includes a downwardly arched portion 56.

With reference to FIG. 6, radially inwardly from the downwardly archedportion 56, the upper portion 24 includes a projecting feature 57, whichincludes an arched portion 58. The arched portion 58 extends upwardly inthe direction from the first end 44 toward the center point 60 of theupper portion 34 and in the direction from the second end 46 toward thecenter point 60. The projecting feature 57 includes a perimeterextending around the peripheral edge of the arched portion 58. In oneembodiment, the perimeter of the projecting feature 57 is smaller thanthe perimeter of the aperture 34 defined by the inner edge 32 of thebase portion 30.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lid 20 taken along theaxis between the hinge 28 and the latching portion 47, illustrated asthe line 8-8 in FIG. 5. The projecting feature 57 also includes,extending upwardly from the downwardly arched portion 56, a firstupwardly extending wall portion 62 proximate the hinge 28 and a secondupwardly extending wall portion 64 proximate the latching portion 47.The upwardly extending wall portions 62 and 64 extend from thedownwardly arched portion up to the arched portion 58. In oneembodiment, the height of the arched portion 58 does not vary in thedirection between the hinge 28 and the latching portion 47.

With reference to FIG. 9, the first upwardly extending wall portion 62extends from a first end 66 proximate the first end 44 of the lid 20 toa second end 68 proximate the second end 46 of the lid 20.

The height of the first upwardly extending wall portion 62 variesbetween the first end 66 and the second end 68. The height H1 of thefirst wall portion 62 is at a maximum adjacent the center point 60. Forexample, the height H1 is greater than the height H2 of the first wallportion 62 between the portion adjacent the center point 60 and thefirst end 66 and greater than the height H3 between the portion of thefirst wall portion 62 adjacent the center point 60 and the second end68.

With reference to FIG. 10, the second upwardly extending wall portion 64extends from a first end 70 proximate the first end 44 of the lid 20 toa second end 72 proximate the second end 46 of the lid 20. In oneembodiment, the first end 70 of the second wall portion 64 is spacedapart from the first end 66 of the first wall portion 62, and the secondend 72 of the second wall portion 64 is spaced apart from the second end68 of the first wall portion 62.

The height of the second upwardly extending wall portion 64 variesbetween the first end 70 and the second end 72. The height H4 of thesecond wall portion 64 is at a maximum adjacent the center point 60. Forexample, the height H4 is greater than the height H5 of the second wallportion 64 between the portion adjacent the center point 60 and thefirst end 70 and greater than the height H6 between the portion of thesecond wall portion 64 adjacent the center point 60 and the second end72.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the upper portion 24 includes anarched portion 74 extending upwardly from a first end 76 proximate thefirst end 44 of the lid 20 to a peak 78 adjacent the center point 60 anddownwardly from the peak 78 to a second end 80 proximate the second end46 of the lid 20.

The width dimension (perpendicular to an axis between the first end 76and the second end 80) of the arched portion 74 varies between the firstend 76 and the second end 80. The width of the arched portion 74 isgreatest at the peak 78 and reduces proceeding towards each of the firstend 76 and the second end 80. Projecting downwardly from the archedportion 74 is an upper engagement portion 82.

Projecting upwardly from the base portion 30 of the lower portion 26 ofthe lid 20 is a lower engagement portion 84.

With reference to FIG. 12, the upper engagement portion 82 includes adownwardly projecting wall portion 86 and a radially inwardly extendingretaining projection 88. The retaining projection 88 extends generallyradially inwardly from the wall portion 86 distal from the archedportion 74 toward the lower engagement portion 84.

The lower engagement portion 84 includes an upwardly projection wallportion 90 and a radially outwardly extending retaining projection 92.The retaining projection 92 extends generally radially outwardly fromthe wall portion 90 distal from the base portion 30 toward the upperengagement portion 82.

The upper and lower engagement portions 82 and 84 are configured suchthat when the lid 20 is closed, the upper surface of the retainingprojection 88 engages the lower surface of the retaining projection 92thus inhibiting upward movement of the downwardly projecting wallportion 86 (and thus inhibiting pivotal movement of the upper portion 24of the lid 20 relative to the lower portion 26).

To open the lid 20, a user may apply upward pressure on the underside ofthe arched portion 74 which causes displacement of the upper engagementportion 82 such that the retaining projection 88 is moved radiallyoutwardly away from and out of contact with the lower engagement portion84, allowing the upper portion 24 of the lid 20 to be pivotallydisplaced away from the lower portion 26 of the lid.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shape and configuration of thelatching portion 47 of the lid generally and the arched portion 74 inparticular, allow for convenient opening of the lid 20.

With reference to FIG. 13, in one embodiment the arched portion 58 isgenerally oval-shaped and has a diameter D1 along the long axis of theoval (extending generally in the direction between the first end 44 andthe second end 46 of the lid). In one embodiment, the diameter D1extends between approximately 2 inches and approximately 5 inches. Inanother embodiment the diameter D1 is between approximately 3 inches andapproximately 4 inches.

In another embodiment, the diameter D1 is approximately 3 and 7/16inches.

In one embodiment, the arched portion 58 has diameter D2 along the shortaxis of the oval (extending generally in the direction between the hinge28 and the latching portion 47, generally perpendicular to diameter D1)between the tallest portion of the first wall portion 62 and the tallestportion of the second wall portion 64 through the center point 60. Inone embodiment, the diameter D2 is between approximately 1 inch andapproximately 3 inches. In another embodiment, the diameter D2 isbetween approximately 1 and ½ inches and approximately 2 inches. Inanother embodiment, the diameter D2 is approximately 1 and ⅞ inches.

In one embodiment, the base portion 30 is a substantially oval-shapedring. In the illustrated embodiment, the oval-shaped aperture 34 definedby the inner edge 32 of the base portion 30 has a diameter D3 along thelong axis of the oval-shaped aperture 34.

In the illustrated embodiment, the oval-shaped aperture 34 defined bythe inner edge 32 of the oval-shaped ring base portion 30 has a diameterD4 along the short axis of the oval-shaped aperture 34 extendinggenerally in the direction between the hinge 28 and the lower engagementportion 84 (generally perpendicular to the diameter D3). In oneembodiment, the diameter D3 is generally the same as the diameter D1. Inanother embodiment, the diameter D3 is larger than diameter D1. In oneembodiment, the diameter D4 is generally the same as the diameter D2. Inanother embodiment, the diameter D4 is larger than diameter D2.

In one embodiment, the diameter D3 extends between approximately 2inches and approximately 5 inches. In another embodiment the diameter D3is between approximately 3 inches and approximately 4 inches. In anotherembodiment, the diameter D3 is approximately 3 and 7/16 inches.

In one embodiment, the diameter D4 is between approximately 1 inch andapproximately 3 inches. In another embodiment, the diameter D4 isbetween approximately 1 and ½ inches and approximately 2 and ½ inches.In another embodiment, the diameter D4 is approximately 2 inches.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the lid 20 is configured to bestacked with other generally similar lids 120, 220, and 320. The inneredges 32, 132, 232, and 332 of the base portions 30, 130, 230, 330 aresized such that the projecting features such as 57, 157, 257, and 357,including in the illustrated embodiment arched portions 58, 158, 258,and 358, of another lid may be received within the apertures defined bythe inner edges such as 32, 132, 232, and 332.

The base portion 130 of the lid 120 is supported on the substantiallyflat portion 52 of the lid 20 and the projecting feature 57 of the lid20 projects in the aperture defined by the inner edge 132 and past thebase portion 130 of the lid 120 when the lids 20 and 120 are stacked.Similarly, the base portion 230 of the lid 220 is supported on thesubstantially flat portion 152 of the lid 120, and the base portion 330of the lid 320 is supported on the substantially flat portion 252 of thelid 220 when the lids are stacked. The projecting feature 157 extends inthe aperture defined by the inner edge 232 and past the base portion 230of the lid 220 when the lids 120 and 220 are stacked. The projectingfeature 257 extends in the aperture defined by the inner edge 332 andpast the base portion 330 of the lid 320 when the lids 220 and 320 arestacked.

When lids 20 and 120, for example, are stacked, the inner edge 132 andfirst wall portion 62 inhibit movement of lid 20 relative to lid 120 inthe direction of the hinges 28 and 128. The inner edge 132 and thesecond wall portion 64 inhibit movement of lid 20 relative to lid 120 inthe direction of latching portions 47 and 147.

Similarly, when lids 120 and 220 are stacked, the inner edge 232 andfirst wall portion 162 inhibit movement of lid 120 relative to lid 220in the direction of the hinges 128 and 228. The inner edge 232 and thesecond wall portion 164 inhibit movement of lid 120 relative to lid 220in the direction of latching portions 147 and 247.

Similarly, when lids 220 and 320 are stacked, the inner edge 332 andfirst wall portion 262 inhibit movement of lid 220 relative to lid 320in the direction of the hinges 228 and 328. The inner edge 332 and thesecond wall portion 264 inhibit movement of lid 220 relative to lid 320in the direction of latching portions 247 and 347.

Thus, the lids 20, 120, 220, and 320 may be configured in a stack andare configured to deter falling of the stack of lids. Embodiments oflids that are stacked and packaged may provide space-savings over lidsthat are not stacked and packaged. For example, in one embodiment lidsare formed at one location and transported to a second location to beattached to filled containers. The lids may be packaged to betransported from the one location to the second location. Cost ofshipping may be dependent on the volume of the packaged lids (e.g., inone embodiment, weight difference may have low to no impact on shippingcost, while volume difference may have higher impact on shipping cost).

While FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate four lids stacked, this is merelyexemplary. In other embodiments any suitable number of lids may bestacked.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method ofproviding lids. The method includes step 400 of providing a plurality oflids each having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a hingepivotally coupling the upper portion to the lower portion, with theupper portion including a projecting feature and the lower portiondefining an aperture, with the apertures arranged and configured toreceive the projecting features to inhibit movement of the lids relativeto one another in at least one direction. The method also includes step402 of stacking the plurality of lids. The method also includes step 404of packaging the stacked plurality of lids for transport to a locationfor coupling to containers.

In one embodiment, the stacked lids are packaged in boxes. In anotherembodiment, the stacked lids are wrapped in packaging material. In otherembodiments, the stacked lids may be packaged in any suitable packaging.

With reference to FIGS. 17-24, another embodiment of a lid 520 isillustrated. The lid 520 includes many features similar to the lid 20.Therefore, differences from the lid 20 are the focus of the descriptionbelow. The lid 520 includes an upper portion 524. The upper portion 524includes a downwardly extending outer wall portion 548. The upperportion 524 also includes a rounded portion 550 extending from thedownwardly extending wall portion 548 to a generally planar portion 552.Extending radially inwardly from the generally planar portion 552 is anangularly downwardly extending portion 556 which extends radiallyinwardly to the projecting feature 557. In contrast with the previousembodiment, the upper portion 524 includes an axial projection 555extending upwardly from the generally planar portion 552. The axialprojection 555 extends circumferentially around the projecting feature557 radially outwardly from the angularly downwardly extending portion556. As is illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, the axial projection 555extends an axial distance less than the projecting feature 557, e.g.,the upper axial periphery of the axial projection 555 is lower than theupper axial periphery of the projecting feature 557.

With reference to FIGS. 23-25, lids 520, 620, 720, and 820 areillustrated in a stacked configuration. The base portion 530 of the lid520 is supported on the axial projection 655 of the lid 620 when thelids 520 and 620 are stacked. Thus, in a stacked configuration, the baseportion 530 of the lid 520 is separated from the generally planarportion 655 of the lid 620 by a distance S_(D). The separation betweenthe base portion 530 of the lid 520 and the generally planar portion 655of the lid 620 may allow of easy access by a user to the base portion530 of the lid 520 to allow the user to remove the lid 520 from thestack. The projecting feature 657 of the lid 620 extends in the aperturedefined by the inner edge 532 and axially past the base portion 530 ofthe lid 520 when the lids are stacked. The inner edge 532 and theprojecting feature 657 inhibit movement of the lid 520 relative to thelid 620 in the radial direction. The lid 520 is allowed to be displacedaxially relative to the lid 620 by applying axially upwardly directedforce to the base portion 530 of the lid 520.

Embodiments of lids may be generally oval in shape. Other embodiments oflids may be generally circular, ellipse-shaped, triangular, rectangular,or any other suitable polygonal or non-polygonal shape. Embodiments ofthe base portion 30 may be oval-shaped. In other embodiments, the baseportion may be any suitable shape with an open portion which can bealigned with an opening of a container including, for example, acircular ring, oval-shaped ring, ellipse-shaped ring, triangle-shapedring, rectangle-shaped ring, or any other polygonally-shaped ornon-polygonally shaped suitable structure.

In some embodiments, the projecting feature may be any suitable shape tofit the open portion of a base portion of another stackable lid toinhibit movement of the lids relative to one another when stackedincluding, for example a circular shape, oval-shaped, ellipse-shaped,triangle-shaped, rectangle-shaped, or any other polygonally-shaped ornon-polygonally-shaped suitable structure. In one embodiment theprojecting feature includes an arched portion. In another embodiment theprojecting feature includes a domed, convexly-shaped portion. In anotherembodiment the projecting feature includes sidewalls and a generallyflat (e.g., not arched, not domed) upper surface.

In one embodiment, by providing stacked lids, a volume savings ofbetween approximately 15% and approximately 50% may be realized overother unstacked lids (e.g., stacking feature of lids allows stackingsuch that approximately 15% to approximately 50% more lids may bepackaged in the same volume than unstacked lids could be placed in thesame volume).

In one embodiment, by providing stacked lids, a volume savings ofbetween approximately 30% and approximately 35% may be realized overother unstacked lids (e.g., stacking feature of lids allows stackingsuch that approximately 30% to approximately 35% more lids may bepackaged in the same volume than unstacked lids could be placed in thesame volume).

One embodiment of a lid may inhibit movement of another lid stackedtherewith in one direction. In other embodiments, a lid may inhibitmovement of another lid stacked therewith in two directions. In otherembodiments, a lid may inhibit movement of another lid stacked therewithin more than two directions. In other embodiments, a lid may inhibitmovement of another lid stacked therewith in all radial directions.

In one embodiment, a lid may be formed from a suitable type of plastic(e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride,PTFE, nylon, PET, HDPE, etc.). In other embodiments, a lid may be formedfrom any other suitable material.

In one embodiment, a lid may be formed by 3D printing (e.g., selectivelaser sintering, direct metal laser sintering, fused depositionmodeling, stereolithography, laminated object manufacturing, electronbeam melting, power bed and inkjet head 3D printing, etc.). In anotherembodiment, a lid may be molded. In other embodiments, a lid may beformed by any suitable method.

In one embodiment, a lid is formed as a single, unitary piece. In otherembodiments, a lid may be multiple pieces formed and coupled together.

Unless the meaning is clearly to the contrary, all ranges set forthherein are deemed to be inclusive of the endpoints.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. While the currentapplication recites particular combinations of features in the variousembodiments discussed herein, various embodiments of the inventionrelate to any combination of any of the features described herein, andany such combination of features may be claimed in this or futureapplications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of theexemplary embodiments discussed above may be claimed alone or incombination with any of the features, elements, or components of any ofthe other embodiments discussed above.

While the current application recites particular combinations offeatures in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of theinvention relate to any combination of any of the features describedherein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and anysuch combination of features may be claimed in this or futureapplications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of theexemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or incombination with any of the features, elements, or components of any ofthe other embodiments discussed above.

Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in thisdisclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Someelements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logicalalgorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lid comprising: a lower portion having an inneredge defining an aperture; an upper portion including a projectingfeature including an upper surface extending between a first wall and asecond wall; and a hinge pivotally coupling the upper portion to thelower portion, the upper portion configured to pivot between a closedconfiguration in which the upper portion covers the aperture and an openconfiguration in which the upper portion does not cover the aperture;wherein the upper portion includes a first engagement portion distalfrom the hinge; wherein the lower portion includes a second engagementportion distal from the hinge, the first and second engagement portionsconfigured to latch the upper portion in a closed configuration; whereinthe projecting feature has a perimeter smaller than the perimeter of theinner edge defining the aperture.
 2. The lid of claim 1, wherein theaperture is generally oval-shaped; and wherein the projecting feature isgenerally oval-shaped.
 3. The lid of claim 1, wherein the upper surfaceof the upper portion is arched.
 4. The lid of claim 3, wherein the uppersurface includes a first end, a center point and a second end; whereinthe upper surface extends upwardly from the first end to the centerpoint; and wherein the upper surface extends downwardly from the centerpoint to the second end.
 5. The lid of claim 1, wherein the upperportion has a first end, a middle point, and a second end; wherein thefirst engagement portion includes an arched portion with a widthincreasing in the direction from the first end toward the middle pointand from the second end toward the middle point; and wherein the archedportion is configured to receive upward force to release the firstengagement portion from the second engagement portion.
 6. The lid ofclaim 1, wherein the upper portion includes a downwardly extending wall;and wherein the downwardly extending wall is configured to contact thelower portion when the lid is in a closed configuration.
 7. The lid ofclaim 1, wherein the lower portion includes an upwardly extending walllocated radially outwardly from the inner edge.
 8. A stack of lidscomprising: a first lid including: a first lower portion having a firstinner edge defining an aperture; a first upper portion; a first hingepivotally coupling the first upper portion to the first lower portion; asecond lid including: a second lower portion; a second upper portionincluding a projecting feature; and a second hinge pivotally couplingthe second upper portion to the second lower portion; wherein the firstlid is stacked on the second lid with the lower portion of the first lidcontacting the upper portion; and wherein the projecting feature of thesecond lid projects in the aperture with the projecting feature and thefirst inner edge configured to inhibit movement of the first lidrelative to the second lid in at least one direction.
 9. The stack oflids of claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of additional lidsstaked on the first lid and the second lid; packaging surrounding thestacked first lid, second lid, and additional lids, the packaging havingan inner volume; wherein the lids are arranged and configured such thatwhen stacked between approximately 30% and approximately 35% more lidsmay be placed within the inner volume of the packaging than if the lidsare unstacked.
 10. The stack of lids of claim 8, wherein the projectingfeature includes an upper surface extending between a first wall and asecond wall, the first wall being configured to interact with the firstinner edge of the first lower portion to inhibit movement of the firstlid relative to the second lid in a first direction, and the second wallbeing configured to interact with the first inner edge of the firstlower portion to inhibit movement of the first lid relative to thesecond lid in a second direction.
 11. The stack of lids of claim 10,wherein the upper surface is arched.
 12. The stack of lids of claim 11,wherein the second lid includes a first end, a middle point, and asecond end; and wherein the height of the first wall increases from thefirst end toward the middle point and decrease from the middle pointtoward the second end.
 13. The stack of lids of claim 8, wherein thefirst upper portion of the first lid includes a downwardly extendingwall; and wherein the downwardly extending wall is configured to sealagainst the first lower portion when the lid is in a closedconfiguration.
 14. The stack of lids of claim 8, wherein the first lowerportion includes an upwardly extending wall located radially outwardlyfrom the first inner edge and radially inwardly from the outer peripheryof the first lower portion.
 15. The stack of lids of claim 8, whereinthe second lower portion includes a second inner edge defining anaperture.
 16. The stack of lids of claim 8, wherein the first upperportion includes a downwardly extending wall located radially outwardlyfrom and adjacent the outer periphery of the first lower portion whenthe first lid is in a closed configuration.
 17. The stack of lids ofclaim 8, wherein the first lower portion of the first lid is generallyoval-shaped, including a first diameter and a second diameter disposedin a first plane; wherein the second lower portion of the second lid isgenerally oval-shaped, including a third diameter and a fourth diameterdisposed in a second plane; and wherein the first plane is parallel tothe second plane.
 18. A method of manufacturing lids, the methodcomprising: providing a plurality of lids, each lid having a upperportion hinged to a lower portion, the lower portions each including aninner edge defining an aperture, the upper portions each including aprojecting feature; stacking the plurality of lids such that theprojecting feature projects into the aperture defined by the inner edgeof the above lid; and packaging the stacked plurality of lids fortransport.
 19. The method of manufacturing lids of claim 18, furthercomprising shipping the plurality of lids to a location where containersare filled to be coupled to the containers.
 20. The method ofmanufacturing lids of claim 18, wherein the projecting features and theinner edges defining the apertures into which the projecting featuresproject are configured to interact to inhibit movement of the stackedlids in at least one direction relative to one another.
 21. The methodof manufacturing lids of claim 18, wherein the projecting features eachinclude an arched upper surface.
 22. The method of manufacturing lids ofclaim 18, wherein the lids include a latching portion configured tolatch the upper portion in a closed configuration relative to the lowerportion.
 23. The method of manufacturing lids of claim 18, wherein thepackaging defines an inner volume; and wherein the step of stacking thelids includes configuring the lids such that between approximately 15%and approximately 50% more stacked lids are packaged with the innervolume of the packaging than if the lids are not stacked.